Building a machine is only part of the job. Packaging OEMs are increasingly helping manufacturers support equipment beyond startup.
In this edition of On the Line, we look at diagnostics and remote service, as well as drive technologies designed for demanding washdown environments.
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Rockwell Automation outlines why installation is no longer the finish line for OEMs
The role of the packaging OEM is no longer defined by commissioning. It’s defined by what comes next.
Troubleshooting, recovery, workforce support, and digital technologies are now part of the equation as machine builders take a larger role in helping manufacturers keep operations moving throughout the life of the machine.
That shift is reflected in Rockwell Automation’s OEM Advantage Playbook, which surveyed 500 OEM leaders across 17 countries. The research found that machine builders are placing greater emphasis on recovery time, workforce challenges, and connected solutions that keep production moving when disruptions occur.
We spoke with Justin Garski, who manages Rockwell Automation’s OEM business for packaging and converting applications, about the findings and what they mean for machine builders. He shared how OEMs are leveraging diagnostics, digital twins, and simplified machine interfaces to streamline troubleshooting and accelerate recovery.
“I think we’re at a tipping point where an OEM is much more involved with the end users’ day-to-day operations than ever before,” said Garski. “Same math problem, just higher stakes at this point.”
→ Read the full story
When remote service becomes a machine capability
IXON is helping OEMs make remote service part of the machine design. By combining secure connectivity with a centralized platform, machine builders can scale support, simplify troubleshooting, and support a growing installed base.
“Leading OEMs are treating secure connectivity like an IIoT layer, the same way they treat safety circuits, diagnostics, or human machine interfaces (HMI), because it directly improves uptime, serviceability, and customer experience,” said Brandon Penrod, director of sales in North America at IXON. “When positioned as an ‘optional service,’ end users can value-engineer it out. When positioned as a machine enhancement, it becomes part of the OEM’s quality and support standard.”
→ Download the report
Nord supports bakery equipment with washdown-ready drive systems
Bakery equipment must withstand temperature extremes, high-pressure cleaning, and exposure to chemicals while maintaining controlled operation.
Nord Drivesystems offers motors, gear units, and control technologies designed to support washdown requirements, improve uptime, and lower operating costs across bakery production and packaging applications.
→ Read more
Final takeaway
The job doesn’t end when the machine is commissioned. OEMs are continuing to support performance through diagnostics, remote service, and components designed for the realities of day-to-day production.
